Submarine torpedo-discharging device.



H. w'. HILLE'. SUBMARINE TORPEDO DISCHARGING D EVICE.

H. W. HILLE.

suBMAmNE ToRPEoo DISCHARGING DEVICE.

APPucA'TloN man APR. I6, 1915.

Pzlfmlted Mar. 7, 1916.

3 SHEETS-SHELI 2.

H. W. HILLE. SUBMARINE ToRPEno DISCHARGING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED, APR. I6, 1915- 1,].74-,723. Patented Mar. 7,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' fria r .er f

FEE.

HENRY BILLE, 0F lIN'IT ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, ASSIGNOR T'O LEON LAVEDAN, 0F NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

SBMARINE TOIRCPEDO-DISCHARGING- DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 7, 1916.

Application mea April 1s, 1915. serial No. 21,652.'

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY W. HILLE, a citizen .of the United States, and a resident of New Orleans,- in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented certain new andI useful Improvements in Submarine Torpedo-Discharging Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved device for discharging torpedoes or bombs from submarines, and `one of the principal 'objects of the invention is to provide a means whereby a torpedo. charged when the submarine movesl into close proximity with its target, so that there will be no danger of the torpedo orbomb missing its objective.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the class described in the nature of a tube or cylinder connected with a submarine boat, and adapted to receive a magnetic bomb, amechanism being provided and being operable from within the boat whereby to eject the bomb from the tube when the submarine is in advantageous position relatively to itsobjective, so that the bomb may be accurately placed.

Still another object is to provide a torpedo inder or tube for the receptionof the bomb is provided, and a mechanically operable piston is provided for ejecting the bomb from the cylinder, the piston and bomb being detachably connected together by means of a lug whose function it is to detachably connect the bomb with the piston, the action o'f the lug being such as to allow disconnec= tion of the bomb and piston when the latter moves outwardly in discharging the bomb.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved torpedo discharging means of such nature that a torpedo may be readily inserted A within the tube from within the submarine and while the same is submerged.

A still further object is to provide a submarine boat with a blind feeler adapted to project forwardly of the boat and to sound an alarm within'the submarine upon com-y device of the type described which will be extremely simple, durable, efficient in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture is contemplated.

With these and othercbjects in view which will become apparent as the description proceeds, ,the invention resides in the construction, ccmbination, .and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several figures, of which- Figure 1 represents a view in perspective, partially in section, showing a submarine having a discharging device constructed according to my invention, the submarine being submerged, and having itstube loaded with a bomb or torpedo. Fig. 2 represents a view in section, taken vertically' and longitudinally through the forward part lof a submarine, showing the tubeas being open and the bomb as being disposed upon the jack table. Fig. 3 represents a view in section, partially in elevation, taken on a plane to one side of the tube, and showing the latter as in closed position. Fig. 4 represents a plan view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 represents a detail view in perspective of the closure hood or cap, looking at the same from the inside thereof. Fig. 6 represents a view in perspective. illustrating the method'of use of a modified form of the device. Fig. 7 represents a view in section, taken-vertically and longitudinally through the front portion of a submarine, showing a modifiedform of the invention. Fig. 8 represents a view in section, illustrating the manner of inserting. the bomb within the tube of the modified form. Fig. 9 represents a fragmentary view in elevation taken from the front of the tube or cylinder, andshowing the disposition of the groove therein. Fig. 10 representsy a view in section, taken on theplane indicated by the line 10-10 of Fig. 7. Fig. 11 represents a view in section taken on the plane indicated by the line 11-11 of Fig. 2, pneumatic connections for the pneumatic feeler. Fig. 12 represents a view in section, taken through the end of the feeler, showing the arrangement of the casing and electromagnet. Fig. 13 represents a diagrammativ cal view showing the alarm bell and magnet circuits, the lines indicating thewires being extended to connect with Fig. 12 in such manner as to represent the complete circuits.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a submarine boat of suitable type is indicated generally by the letter A. Arranged preferably at the prow of the submarine, and suitably built in and connected with the walls of the boat, is the torpedo or bomb discharging tubev or cylinder 7. The latter in the form indicated in F igs. 1, 2, 3, and 4, is preferably inclined upwardly toward its outer end. The tube is open at both ends, and at its inner end 'is defined by an annular fiange 35 which is interiorly threaded as at 36. A breech blcck 37 exteriorly threaded as at 38-for engagement with the threads 36, is provided. The breech block is provided with a marginal flange 39 for engagement with flan ef Sald 40 to provide 35 when the block is screwed home. block is equipped with a rin a hand hold whereby the lock may be turned into position. A round piston stem 41 slidably extends through a stuffing box 42 provided onthe breech block, and is connected at its forward end in advance of said breech block with a. piston `10. The latter is adapted to be slidably disposed within the tube 7, and to be reciprocatedv therein through the action of stem 41 whereby to discharge a bomb or torpedo from the tube at will. The stem 41 at its rear end is connected through the medium of a.uni versal joint 43 with a rack bar 44. The latter is adapted to be operated through the medium of a sprocket wheel 14 carried on a shaft journaled in a bracket 15, which is suitably. secured to the floor of the boat. The sprocket 14 is operable by means of the foot pedal 16, adapted to be actuated by the feet of the operator of the boat. As indicated in Fig. 1, when the breech block is out of engagement with the flange 35, the rack bar is in a rearwardly shifted position, and does not engage with the sprocket 14.. However, when the breech block is moved forwardly into engagement with the rear end of the tube, the rack bar isk shifted forwardly and engages with the sprocket wheel in such position as to be operated by the latter in order to reciprocate the piston within the tube.

A substantially U-shaped yoke 45, which is pivoted in a bracket 46, is utilized in supporting the rack bar when the latter is out' of engagement with the sprocket wheel. When in engagement with the sprocket, the rack bar is prevented from accidental] kicking or jumping off of the same, throug the mediumof an idler ulley, or roller 47, indicated in Fig. 1 as eing carried by a suitable spring controlled arm 48 in such manner as lto be rested at will upon the top side 'of'therack for holding the latter in engagement with the sprocket.

The embodiment'of the device indicated in Figs. 1 and 2vv provides a torpedo tube adapted tobe loaded from within the submarine, and either While .the latter is at the surface or is submerged. On the other hand, the 'type indicated in Figs. 6 and 7 is such as is adapted to be loaded only from Without the submarine, and while the latter is at or near the surface. In the arrangement indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, the prow of the submarine is provided with a flat circular portion 5 definedby an annular outwardly extendingl flange'. Portion 5 is adapted vto form the inner Wall or breech ofthe bomb receiving. cylinderv or tube, indicated at 7a. The'tube at-its inner end is provided with an outwardly extendingannular flange 8 adaptedr to be connected to Harige 6 through the medium ofsuitable fastening means, such as bolts 9. :In both forms, the tube or cylinder is preferably made of aluminum or some other non-magnetic substance. The modified form of. tube, in common with the lpreferred form', is provided with a piston 10 operable through the medium of a piston stemll extending through a stuffing box 12 provided on The piston stem 11 projects within the sub'- marine and at its inner end is provided with a rack bar 13 forming a prolongation ofthe stem, and fixed with relation to said stem. This rack bar is adapted to be operated by means of a sprocket mechanism as already described.

Both forms of the discharging tube are adapted preferably to be used in connection with a magnetic bomb or torpedo indicated at B. The latter is substantially cylindrical in shape, and is adapted to fit snugly within the chamber or tube. vThis bomb is provided with a number of electrically connected batteries or cells 17 forming a source of current.- The latter is connected at one end or pole with the contact leaf 18 and at its oposite pole with a similar contact leaf 19. plurality of electrically connected electro-magnets 20 are arranged in the fore part of the bomb, and are connected by means of a contact leaf 21 with the contact leaf 18. The opposite terminal of the magnet is in the form of a contact leaf 22. The leaves 19 and 22 are normally maintained out of engagement with each other whenthe bomb is in the chamber, by means of a pin 23 extending through the wall of the omb and controlled by the spring 24. rlhis pin is preferably made of some non-conducting material.

The lower portion of cylinder or tube 7 in the modified form, is provided interiorly and longitudinally and near its outer end, with a channel or groove 25 having a stepped the annular fiat portion 5.

groove 25, so as to 25 indicated in Fig. 8.

35 spectively .provided in the piston 45A steps in 50 inner end of the chamber,

atraves Hoor 26. The normal tendency of the spring 24 is to shift the pin 23 outwardly, relatively to the contacts 19 and 22, so as to allow the closing of these contacts and the 5 completion of an electric circuit through the magnets 20 for energizing the latter. ln placing the bomb within the tube 7 `from the outside thereof, the inner end of the pin 28 is arranged'in alinement with the ride within the same and to engage against the stepped Hoor 26 whereby, as indicated in Fig. 7 when the bomb is in finally retracted position, the pin is forced through the action of the steps in the floor, in between the contacts 19 and 22 so that the circuit through the magnets will remain open until the bomb is discharged. At that time the spring 24 will withdraw the pin and allow the completion of the cir-l cuit-so as to energize the magnets.

When the bomb or torpedo is to be inserted within the tube 7 in the modified form, the piston 10 is moved toward the outer end of said tube to attain the position The bomb is then partially inserted within the outer end of the tube into engagement with the piston, and the lug 27 is then disposed within the groove in the position indicated in Fig. 8. This S0 lug is provided at its inner end with a substantially rectangular tooth 28, and at its outer end with a wedge shaped tooth 29. rl`he teeth 28 and 29 are adapted to engage in similarly shaped notches 30 and 31 re- 10 and bomb B. rThe recess 30 is provided in the periphery ot' the piston at the lowest point thereof, and the recess 431 is provided in the bomb near the inner end thereof and in 40 alinement with the point at which the pin 23 is disposed. This lug 27, it will be noted, is so disposed when the bomb is being nserted within the tube or cylinder, as to lie in an inclined position against two of the the floor of the groove 25, as indicated in Fig. 3. lWhen in this position, the lug or tooth 28 engages partially within the recess 30. When the parts are in this position, the piston 10 is withdrawn into the and as the lug 27 is carried with it, it moves from one step inthe Hoor of the groove into the neXt higher step and thus engages within the recess 31. Hence, as the piston is withdrawn, the lug acts as a medium for connecting the piston and bomb so that the bomb will be withdrawn into the proper position within the tube or cylinder.

Then the bomb is discharged through the outward movement of the piston 10, the

lug 27 as it reaches the outer end of the recess 25, drops down and thus disengages the piston and bomb or torpedo, whereby to allow the latter to remain in engagement with the side or bottom of a vessel as indiautomatically thrown into circuit with the batteries when the bomb or torpedo is discharged. This lug is thus lost when the bomb or torpedo is completely discharged, but should it be found by the operator that after partially discharging the bomb, it would be more advantageous to discharge it at a dierent point, he may, by withdrawing the pistn, withdraw the bomb again into the cylinder. However, the bomb must be withdrawn before it has been discharged or moved outwardly too far in the cylinder, otherwise the lug will completely disengage itself from the piston and bomb and thus prevent withdrawal of the latter. T he bomb or`torpedo is controlled by a time mechanism indicated generally at C. The latter is actuated through the medium of a key 32 which projects centrally from the rear end of the bomb or torpedo. In order to maintain this key against rotation, and thus prevent unwinding of the ltime mechanism while the bomb is in place within the tube, the piston 10 is provided centrally in its front face with a slot or elongated recess 33 within which the key 32 is retained. However, as soon as the bomb is discharged, the key is thus released, and the time mechanism which has previously been set to allow the elapse of any desired space of time before the explosion of the bomb,. commences runnin g.

As indicated in Fig. 6, the method of using the modified form is to drive the submarine to a point in close proximity with the ship or other object of attack, and then by working the foot operable mechanism, move the piston outwardly whereby to discharge the bomb and allow the same to adhere to the bottom of the vessel through the action of magnetism. The time mechanism of course will be set to allow time enough for the submarine to move outof range before the explosion occurs.

ln the preferred form, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the tube or cylinder is provided with an interior longitudinally eX- tending groove or channel 49 running its entire length and having deepened portions 50 at its front and rear ends adjacent the ends of the tube or chamber. This channel or groove is for the reception of the pin 23 and lug 27. In the preferred form the connection between the bomb and piston through the medium of the lug 27 is formed in the same manner as that already described, the piston and bomb being provided operable jack 5l arranged adjacent the breech of the tube and provided with an iny clined jack table 52 which may be raised at will into the position shown so as to support the bomb as the latter is being inserted within the tube. i/Vhen the bomb is far enough within the tube to be maintained in place by the latter, the jack table may be lowered. This table is provided with a longitudinally extending groove 53 for the reception of the head of pin 23. The groove is .enlarged transversely at its upper portion as at 54 for the recepton of the lug 27.

In the modified form of tube, means is provided whereby the outer end of the tube may be hermetically sealed at will, in order that the tube may be loaded -with a bomb or torpedo, while the vessel is submerged. This apparatus includes a hood, or closure, or cap indicated at 55. This closure is longitudinally and transversely concaved, and tapers toward its ends, be'n substantially in the form of a lune or spherical sector. The closure or hood is mounted for oscillation upon the pins 56, which extend laterally from the outer surfaces of tube 7 at diametrically opposed points. These pins project through slots' or elongated recesses 57 provided adjacent the ends of the .closure 55. By swinging the closure upwardly and downwardly upon the pins 56 as pivots, the tube is respectively closed and opened. ln order to accommodate the curvature of the closure. the sides of the tube near its outer end, are beveled as at 58. This closure on its inner surface is provided with a compressible strip or washer or packing 59 adapted to engage upon the tube 7 at the outr end of the latter for forming a water tight joint between the closure and tube in a manner to be hereinafter more fully described.

Tn order that the closure may readily be actuated from within the submarine, a machanism is provided which includes a rack bar 60 extending through a stutling box 61 for longitudinal reciprocation within the latter, the outer end of this rack bar being connected by a link 6:2 having a broken joint at 63, with an ear 64 provided on the closure 55'at one end thereof and between the adjacent pivot point of the closure and the wall of the submarine. Carried by a bracket 65 within the beat, is a pinion wheel 66 operable through the medium of a crank arm 67 for driving the rack bar 60 in one direction or another, it being understood that by turning the crank 67 in one direction, the rack bar will be shifted outwardly whereby to open or depress the closure 55, and by turning the crank arm in the opposite direc` tion, the rack bar will be withdrawn for raising the closure. A spring actuated dog i 68 is carried by bracket 65 and is normally7 in contact with the pinion 66 to prevent rotation of the latter. This dog is kicked or moved out of engagement with the pinion when the rack bar is to be shifted for operating the closure.

Arranged on each side of the tube and extending each through a stuiing box 69 is a rod 70. The outer end of each rod is connected by means of a link 71 with one end of the closure or hood The inner end of each rod has a pin and slot connection 72 with a lever- 73 pivoted upon a bracket 74 supported within the vessel.

The mechanism just described is designed for the purpose of drawing the hood or closure 55 bodily against the outer end of tube 7, whereby to compress the washer or packing59 against said tube in order to form a water tight joint. Each of the levers 73 carries a dog 75 adapted to coact with a toothed segment 76 in maintaining the lever in adjusted position. A lever mechanism is provided for each end of the closure or cap 55, in order that the tension on each side of the closure may be regulated.

Tt will be understood thatwhen the tube is to be loaded while the vessel is submerged, the closure u ill be shifted into the pos'ti'on indicated in Figs. 1, 3, and Lt, for sealing the outer end of the tube. The breech block may then be disconnected and shifted rearwardly and the brmb disposed upon the jack table and shifted into the breech of the tube. whereupon the breech block may be turned home so as to seal the inner end of said tube. rlhe dogs 75 may then be kicked ont of engagement with the segments 76, and the tens'on upon the closure thus relaxed, and at the same time the rack bar 60 may bo shoved outwardly whereby to swing the hood downwardly into the position shown in Fig. 2, thus unclosing the outer end ot the tube.

A stop lug 77 is provided on the outer snrtace of the vessel, and is adapted to limit the downward movement of closure Upon the upper surface of tube 7 adjacent the outer end of the latter, is disposed a bumper in the form of a pneumatic or other compressible member indicated at 78. This bumper while acting as a stop for the upward movement of the hood, also prevents engagement of the outer end of the tube with the hull ot a vessel or other object, whereby damage to the tube will be prevented.

Tn order that the occupants of the submarine mav be informed when the submarine is in close proximity to a vessel or other object, I have provided a mechanism in the nature of what l term a blind feeler. This device includes a flexible tube 79 extendingy at its inner end, as indicated in Fig. 1l, through an opening 8() in a casing 81 carried on the outside of the submarine. said tube 79 having a suitable connection with a hollow shaft 82 of a reel. This shaft is journaled within the housing or casing Hl. and at its outer end 83 has a swivel connecairfares tionwith one end of a curved pipe 84, whose opposite end is suitably connected with an air supply pipe 85 leading from a suitable tank or other compressed air supply. The inner end of shaft 82 is provided with a handle 86 whereby the tube 79 may be wound upon the shaft when said tube is de- Hated. A valve 87 in the line 85 as indicated in Fig."2, is adapted to control admission of air to the flexible tube 79. By closing the valve 87 and opening-the relief valve indicated at 88, the tube may be deiated at will, in order that it may be wound upon the reel. Arranged at the other end of the tube 7 9 is a casing 89 of suitable material. Slidably disposed within this casing is an electro-magnet 90. The terminals of the coil of the magnetV are connected through the medium of the wires 91 and 92 respectively, with the opposite poles of a storage battery indicated at 93 in Fig. 13, which battery may be utilized to furnish current for thc motor for driving the submarine. Upon the other end of the magnet, and insulated from each other, are a pair of contacts 94 and 95. Each of these contacts is in electrical communication with one pole of a battery or other suitable source of electrical current 96, through the medium of the wires 97 land 98 respectively. n one of the lines 97 and 98, an alarm bell 99 is arranged. rIhis bell is disposed 'within the submarine in a suitable position to be heard by the operator of the vessel, when the bell is rung. At the other end of casing 89 and in alinement with the contacts 94 and 95, are arranged the contacts 100 and 101 respectively. The latter are in communication with each other through the medium of an electrical conductor 102. As the tube 79 is iniated in extending the same, it carries with it the casing 89 within which the electro-magnet is disposed. rl`his casing as noted in Figs. 1 and 2, is arranged at the outer end of the tubing, and when the latter is entirely inflated, it is disposed in such grelation with the submarine as toV sway about in the water in advance of the latter, so as to come in contact with any object such as the hull of a vessel, before contact of the submarine with that object. 0r, if the submarine has been submerged in the path of a vessel, the latter will, upon coming close to the submarine, engage against the casing 89. into proximity with a metallic surface, such as the hull of a Vessel, the magnet 90 will be attracted toward the outer end of the leasing, against the tension of a coiled spring 103 arranged between the electro magnet and the casing end. This movement of the magnet will shift the contacts 94 and 95 into engagement with the contacts 100 and 101, and a circuit will thus be established through the wires 97, bell 99, battery 96,

Upon movement of the casing and electrical conductor 102, thus ringing .the bell and indicating to the occupants of the submarine that the submarine is in close proximity to a vesself At this time the bomb maybe discharged, and will, through the action of the magnets carried by it, move into engagement with and adhere to the side of the oncoming vessel. The length of the tube or feeler 7 9 is such that when the alarm is sounded, the occupants of the submarine will know that they are close enough to their objective, to discharge the bomb. The magnet and bell wires are carried within tube 79 by means of a suitable conduit 104. r1`his conduit extends at its inner end through the outer end of shaft 82 and through the pipe 84C, and from thence through a' pipe 105 to the batteries. A suitable connection will of course be provided between the pipe 105 and the pipe 85, to prevent entrance of air from last said pipe .into the pipe 105. As soon as the submarine andthe object of attack move apart, the electro-magnet will be shifted into position at the rear end of the tube through the action of spring 103, thus breaking the bell icircuit and silencing the bell.

In the preferred form, the tube or cylinder 7 is provided with a drain pipe 106 communicating at its upper end with the tube at the rear end of the latter, and at its lower end communicating with a suitable chamber, this pipe being provided with a valve 107 for controlling the drain. By means of the pipe, the water inclosed within the tube after discharge of the bomband after the hood has been raised into closing position, may be drained from the tube before the breech block is removed, incident to thleJ placing of another bomb within the tu e.

Although l have described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I may desire to make such changes in the construction, combination, and arrangement of lparts thereof, as do 'not depart from they spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

1. The combination of a submarine vessel, a tube associated therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, a breech block adapted to be removably. connected with the inner end of the tube from within the submarine, a piston stem slidably extending through said breech block, a piston carried bythe stem in advance of the block and adapted to be reciprocated within the tube, a manually actuable means for operating the stem whereby to reciprocate the piston at will, said tube being'adapted to receive an elec trically controlled magnetic bomb, a lug adapted to detachably connect the piston and bomb together and adapted when the latter is ejected to become detached from said piston and bomb, said bomb being proj vided with means whereby to render the bomb demagnetized while within the cylinder, said cylinder being provided with a channel for the reception of the demagnetizing means and the lug, and means for closing the outer end of the tube at willy whereby to exclude water from the tube when the submarine is submerged.

2. The combination of a submarine vessel, a tube associated therewith and adapted to receive a bomb, a breech block adapted to be detachably connected with the tube from within the submarine for closing the inner end of said tube, a piston stem slidably extending through the breech block, a piston tixedly connected with the stem in advance of the block and adapted to be reciprocated within the tube, manually operable means for moving the stem in one direction and another, -means for detachably connecting the piston and bomb while the latter is within the tube, said means adapted to disconnect them upon ejection of the bomb, said tube being provided with a groove for the reception of the said connecting means and for the reception of a means for demagnetizing the bomb while' the latter is within the tube.

3. rilhe combination of a submarine boat, a tube associated therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, a breech block adapted to be connected with the tube for closing the inner end of said tube, a stem slidably extending through said breech block, a piston carried by the stem in advance of said block and adapted to be reciprocated within the tube through operation of said stem, a jack, and a table associated with said jack and adapted to be moved into proximity with the rear end of the tube at will, for supporting a bomb while the latter is being placed within the tube, said jack `table and tube being provided with a channel way for receiving a bomb carried means for demagnetizing the bomb while within ithe tube, substantially as described.

4. rl `he combination of a submarine boat, a tube associated therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, a breech block adapted to be detachably connected with the tube for closing the inner end of the latter at will, means adapted to be reciprocated within the tube for ejecting a bomb therefrom at will, means slidably extending through said breech block for operating said first means, and means whereby said second means may be operated at will.

5. in a device of the class described, a submarine, a tube associated therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, said tube adapted to `receive a bomb, a hood associated with the tube and having a pin and slot connection therewith, said hood adapted to be moved into positions for closing and `for opening the outer end of the tube, a compressible washer carried by the hood and adapted to be compressed between the same and the outer end of the tube, an ear carried by the hood adjacent one of the pin and slot connections, means operable from within the submarine and connected to said ear for swinging the hood into opening and closing positions, and means operable from within the submarine and connected to the hood and adapted to shift the latter bodily toward the tube when in closed position for 'compressing the washer between said hood and tube.

6. The combination of a submarine vessel, a tube associated therewith and adapted to receive a bomb, means whereby the inner end of the tube may be opened and closed at will, means whereby a bomb may be ejected from the tube at will, a hood associated with the tube and having a pin and slot connection therewith and adapted to be shifted for closing and for opening the outer end of the tube, means operable from within the submarine whereby the hood may be moved into closing and opening positions, means operable from within the submarine whereby the hood may be shifted bodily toward the tube when in closed position, and means ada ted to be compressed between the hood an tube when said hood is so shifted, whereby to form a watertight joint between the hood and tube.

7. A device of the class described, including a tube adapted to receive a bomb, a hood associated with said tube and adapted to be shifted relatively thereto for closing and for opening the outer end of the tube, means for limiting the opening movement oi the hood. and a bumper carried 'by the tube for preventing contact of said tube with foreign obstacles, said bumper adapted to limit the closing movement of the hood.

8. The combination of a submarine, a tube associated therewith, a hood provided with ends embracing the tube between them and having a pivotal and a slidin connection with the tube, means whereby t e hood may be swung upon its. pivot for closing and opening the tube at will, and means whereby the hood may be shifted bodily relatively to the tube for'forming a tight connection therewith.

9. yT he combination with a submarine torpedo tube. of a hood provided with ends extending alongside the tube and having a pin and slot` connection with the tube, said hood adapted to be swung upon its pivot for closing and. opening the tube at will, and adapted further to be shifted bodily relatively to the tube for forming a tight connection therewith.

10. The combination of a submarine, a reel associated therewith, a flexible tube connected with the reel and disposed without energized, and an alarm circuit 'adapted to magret be closed upon movement' of the electro-magnet outwardly with respect to the casing whereby tosouud an alarm within .the submarine upon movement of the casing into close proximity with a metallic object.

11. Ina device of the class described, the-l combination with a submarine boat, of a flexible tube adapted to-be inated and deflated at will, and being provided with means .whereby an alarm within the submarine may be sounded upon movement of the outerend of thetube into close proximity with a.. metallic object.

12. rIhe combination' of a submarine, a

tubeassociated therewith and adapted torei ceiveV a magnetlc bomb, means whereby the` bomb may be ejected from the tube at will, aY flexible tube associated .with the submarine and adapted to be inflated and' deflated at will, and/ means associated with the fiexible tube and adapt d to be actuated for sounding an alarm movement of proximity with a metallic object, whereby to notify ,the occupants of the submarine of the proper time to eject the magnetic bomb.

y13. The combination with a submarine,

a tube adapted to receive a magnetic bomb,

means wherebyl the bomb may-be manually ejected at will, and means associated with the submarine for sounding an alarm within 'from -with'n the.4

the same when the submarine is in proper position relativelyto its objective for ejecting the bomb.

sel,`a tube associated therewith, a piston op*- erably disposed to be actuated from within the submarine, said tube adapted to receive an electrically controlled magnetic bombin such manner as to render the bomb demagnetized while means for 4detachably co`n within the tube, necting the bomb and piston while .the former is within the tube and adapted when the bomb is ejected to become disconnected from said bomb and piston, Vand means associated with the piston for renderinga time mechanism carried bv while said bomb is within the tube.

15. The combination of a submarine vessel, a tube associated therewith andwadapted to recive a magnetic bomb, means o erable 4 submarine wherev y the bomb may be ejected from the tube at will,

- means whereby a time mechanism carriedby the bomb mayr be rendered inactive while the bomb is within tlie tube, and means assoa. bomb receiving means, within the submarine, upon the iexible tube into close` within the tubeand adapted i riedA by" the bomb the bomb 'inactive' cijated with the tube whereby a pin carried by the bjomb may be positioned or demagnetizing said bomb while within said tube.

16. lhe combination of a submarine having a bomb receiving means and being provided with amechanism Vfor ejecting the bomb at will, a connecting means between j the bomb and ejecting mechanism for maina time mechanism carried by the bomb inactive while within the bomb receiving means, and means for detachablyv connecting the bomb and ejecting means while the former is within the bomb receiving means, and adapted to" disconnect said bomb and eject ing means upon ejectment of the bomb.

.18. The combination with a submarine, of

a mechanism operable from within the submarine at will for ejecting a bomb from said receiving means,

-means Aassociated with the bomb receiving means for rendering the bomb inactive while within the receiving means, and meansl for detachably connecting the bomb and ejecting means together whilefthe former is within the receiving means and adapted to disconnect them upon ejectment of the bomb.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination o f a tube adapted to. receive a bomb, means for ejecting the bomb at will, and means for detachably connecting the bombA and ejecting means together while the former is within the tube and adapted to disconnect them upon ejectment of the bomb.

20. In afdevice'of the class described, a. tube adapted to receive a bomb and being provided, with a channel of varied depths, said channel adapted to receive a pin carfor rendering the latter inactive while within the cylinder.

' 21. In a' device-of the class described, the combination with a c 'linder adapted to receive a magnetic bom of a mechanical device for ejecting the bomb at will, means for detachably connecting the mechanical devie and bomb together while the latter is within the cylinder, and means associated wlth the cylinder for rendering the bomb demagnetized while within the cylinder.

` HENRY W. HILLE.

. Witnesses:

SoLoN C. KERNON, JAMES E. TURNBUIJ.. 

